Eremophila Latrobei

EREMOPHILA LATROBEI

Like answered prayers of the Eremites of old
These, as their name tells, are lovers of the deserts
Those that thrive where others quail.

Native fuchsias, or Crimson turkey bush
By any other name, yet scabrous and poor
by the common-garden chart in wet-reckoning.

For nurserymen say "Propagation by seed is unreliable,
Treatment methods tried include sowing the ripe fruits, but
no! 'E.latrobei proves difficult to strike from cuttings.'

And yet Eremophila's survival is not endangered, it thrives
on Stony red clay, loam or sandy soils over sandstone, granite, ironstone.
Gibber plains, rocky ridges & desert hillslopes, dry creeklines.

The everywhere shrubs of the no good rejected lands
That ever-flower with all-season's ready bells
Ringing that country with petal flames.

Good-For-Nothing Bells?
What! These Eremophilians are healing leaves
with balms out of the Pharmacopian ashes.


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